Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism is the government recommended training programme designed to ensure all health and social care staff have the essential knowledge, confidence, and understanding needed to provide safe, compassionate, and inclusive care.

The training is named after Oliver McGowan, a young man whose death shone a light on the need for staff to have training to better understand and respond to the needs of autistic people and people with a learning disability. Its ambition is to ensure health and social care workforce have the right skills and knowledge to provide safe, compassionate and informed care to autistic people and people with a learning disability.

It is now a legal requirement under the Health and Care Act 2022 for all CQC registered providers in England.

This course follows the national standardised programme created by NHS England and delivered by approved trainers.

Who Is This Course For?

This training is suitable for anyone working within the health and social care sector, including:

Support staff Administrative and leadership teams

• Care sector professionals
• Support workers
• Residential care staff
• Care home managers
• Community support teams

Whether you have direct contact with people with learning disabilities/autism or work in a supporting role, this course equips you with the appropriate level of knowledge and awareness required for your role.

Key Benefits of the Training

• Improved Quality of Care
• Gain the skills needed to provide safe, informed, and person-centred care for autistic people and people with a learning disability.
• The training helps reduce health inequalities and supports best practice in care settings. Enhanced Staff Skills & Confidence Develop stronger communication skills, understand sensory and behavioural needs, and learn practical approaches to providing better support.
• Training is co-delivered with experts by lived experience, making it authentic and impactful. Legal Compliance
• Meet the statutory training requirements for CQC-registered providers under the Health and Care Act 2022.
• Completion ensures your organisation remains compliant with national standards.
• Promotes Inclusion & Person-Centred Practice
• Learn how to make reasonable adjustments and create a more inclusive environment for service users, ensuring their voices, needs, and rights are placed at the centre of care.
• Supports Ongoing Professional Development

This course forms an important part of ongoing CPD for health and social care professionals, keeping you up-to-date with legislation, best practice, and national guidance.

What you will learn

• Remembering Oliver’s story
• What having a learning disability means
• Unconscious bias
• Learning from lives and deaths
• Diagnostic overshadowing
• Important laws and standards (Human Rights Act, Mental Capacity Act, DNACPR, advance care planning)
• Adapting our practice – reasonable adjustments and communication

Important Notice

A place on your chosen course is not confirmed until enrolment is complete, and any relevant fees are paid. Adult course times, dates, durations and fees may be subject to change, and courses may be cancelled if minimum numbers are not met.